Enrollment Steps

There are seven important steps a student should take before beginning coursework at College of the Desert:

  1. Admission Application
  2. Financial Aid Application
  3. Orientation
  4. Self Placement
  5. Counseling/Advising
  6. Registration
  7. Payment
     

The College requires all NEW students to participate in these steps.

1.   Admission Application

Complete the COD Admission Application and submit all transcripts from previously attended institutions to the Admissions & Records Office.

  • The COD Admission Application is available online and must be completed by all new students intending to enroll at College of the Desert.
  • Continuously enrolled students are not required to reapply. However, if a student misses two semesters (Fall and/or Spring, or one full year break), they will require a new application.
  • After completing the application, students will receive two emails. The first email will come from CCCApply with a confirmation number. The second email will come from the Admissions & Records Office including information regarding next steps as outlined on College of the Desert's Getting Started webpage. The email will also include instructions on how to log into their MyCOD Student Portal with their student username, password, and College of the Desert Student Identification Number. 

2.    Financial Aid Application

The Financial Aid office offers a variety of financial aid programs funded by federal, state, institutional, and local sources. Whether you're sure you'll need assistance or just exploring your options, we encourage ALL students to apply or reach out - you might qualify for more than you think! 

Get Started - Complete one of the following Financial Aid Application(s): 

For more information on which application to submit, visit the Apply for Aid webpage.

Review the "What Programs & Services are available for students?" under the Financial Aid section within the Catalog for more information about available financial aid resources. 

3.    Orientation

Orientation services are required for all students entering COD.

  • Students will receive academic planning assistance; information about college facilities, resources, and policies; and a review of student rights and responsibilities.
  • An online orientation is available through the MyCOD portal. Instructions for accessing the online orientation are located on the College of the Desert's "Getting Started" webpage.
  • Contact the Counseling Center by phone at 760.773.2521 or visit the Counseling webpage for more information. 

4.    Placement

All students have a right to access transfer-level English and math.  New, first-time students are placed in English, reading, and mathematics based on a multiple measures.  Placement information and resources for guided self-placement are available on the College website.  Students are encouraged to speak with a counselor regarding their placement.

5.    Counseling/Advising

Student Education Plans (SEPs)

Upon admission to the College all students are required to declare an educational goal. A specific educational goal, along with a Student Education Plan (SEP), is required of all students once they have completed 15 degree applicable units or in their second semester of attendance.

Priority Registration will be given to students who work with a counselor to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP), succeed in their classes, and stay on track.

An SEP is a planning tool that students complete online via Self-Service Student Planning. The Counseling Center offers many opportunities for students to create an SEP.  

The Comprehensive SEP is a detailed SEP that outlines completion to students' education objectives. A comprehensive SEP takes into account students' interests, skills, career and educational goals, major, potential transfer institutions, and the steps needed to take on an educational path to complete the educational goal. The comprehensive SEP includes the student's educational goal and course of study requirements, such as the requirements for the major, transfer, certificate, program, applicable course prerequisites or corequisites, the need for basic skills, placement, and the need for referral to other support and instructional services. The comprehensive SEP is tailored to meet each student's individual needs and interests and can be created before or after registering for classes.

The Comprehensive SEP is a participation requirement for the following programs:

  • EOPS
  • DSPS
  • CalWORKs
  • Veterans
  • Athletics
  • NextUp
  • TRIO-ACES
     

If a student is transferring to College of the Desert from another college or university, prior to scheduling an appointment for an SEP, they must:

  • Send official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities previously attended to the Admissions & Records Office.
  • Verify with the Admissions & Records Office that transcripts have been received. 

Counseling faculty are available in the Counseling Center. Counselors will assist students with academic, personal, and career goal setting and provide information about available campus resources to help students achieve their goals. A primary role of a counselor is to assist students in developing a Student Education Plan (SEP).

Faculty Advisors are available in every academic department. Advisors can provide valuable information about department majors, career pathways, and will work collaboratively with counselors to advise students with regard to the student's educational and career goals. A list of advisors and their contact information is listed in the Schedule of Classes each semester.

Exemptions

Some students may be exempt from the placement, orientation, and/or the counseling/advising components if they meet certain criteria (Title 5, section 55532). However, students will not be exempt from the admissions and follow-up components. Information about exemption eligibility is available on the Counseling Center webpage.

Students wishing to obtain an exemption in any of the three areas mentioned should submit an Exemption Request, along with supporting documentation, to the Counseling Center. If approved, the Counseling Center staff will clear the student to register for classes. This does not exempt students from meeting prerequisite requirements. For more information, contact the Counseling Center at 760.773.2521.

6.    Registration

Priority Registration

College of the Desert is committed to the philosophy that all students should have fair and equitable access to courses and programs within the resources and in accordance with State Education Code, Title 5 Section 58108, provisions and guidelines adopted by the Board of Governors. Furthermore, the College believes that students should be able to progress toward their stated educational objectives in a timely manner.

The primary mission of the College is to provide transfer and vocational courses and programs. Therefore, priority is extended to students who have demonstrated satisfactory academic progress toward their declared educational objectives.